MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Russia temporarily bans beef imports from several suppliers

Russia announced it was temporarily suspending beef imports from United States, Canada, Uruguay, Byelorussia and Ukraine because “banned noxious substances” had been detected in some shipments.

On hearing the news representatives from the affected countries said the decision from the administration of President Dmitri Medvédev and only be traced to "the intention of upholding domestic production in critical times, which can also be described as "protectionist measures". Russian authorities reacted insisting the decision was "temporary" and obeyed to strict veterinary and administrative rules. The release however did not mention Argentina and encouraged Argentine authorities "to take advantage of the situation", since Russia has become the country's main beef (with bone) market with 122.000 tons exported last year (over 240 million US dollars). Argentina's export entity ONCCA said that according to reports from Russia Argentine beef shipments were exempt from the ban since no "banned substances" had been detected. "It's an excellent opportunity to promote Argentina beef exports to our main buyer thus benefiting our farmers and local exporters", said ONCCA in a release. From Moscow Deputy Prime Minister Víctor Zubkov said that annual per capita consumption of meats had increased 12.5% during last year reaching, 63 kilos.